Pastor Sudhir Marak strolled into the village and immediately recognized its poverty. It was seeping from the walls of every home and was evident in the children who ran past him to go to the fields to work. The families struggled for survival with no education, medical facilities or transportation. But Sudhir had Good News to give them, and even when the villagers rejected Sudhir’s message, it just took one woman for them to listen.

May 2014

Pastor Shares for More Than One Year

Pastor Sudhir began sharing Christ’s love by visiting homes and encouraging people from the Bible. He prayed for those who were sick, leaving families that witnessed a healing wondering who Jesus is.

Yet for each person Pastor Sudhir prayed with, it seemed there was someone else accusing him and telling him not to come back.

Still, this did not discourage Sudhir, and he continued to visit the families that would receive him. He prayed and saw miracles happen. But at the end of the year those who had come to believe in Jesus were not willing to testify of His goodness to the public because they were fearful of the consequences.

Young Woman Seeks Healing

Sudhir pressed on and continued to share the love of Jesus with the villagers. He eventually met a young woman, Taseem, who suffered from a sickness that had her body itching for more than three months. Because there was no hospital nearby or money to buy medication, she stayed in bed, discouraged.

Listening to Taseem’s struggles, Pastor Sudhir kindly shared about Jesus’ love and assured her that, “If you believe in Jesus and depend on Him, Jesus can heal you.”

Confident of Pastor Sudhir’s words, Taseem responded that she would open her heart to Jesus if she were healed from this sickness. Sudhir prayed with her and gave her a New Testament.

Sudhir continued to visit Taseem and pray for her, and one day she was able to get out of bed and was completely healed from the sickness. She recognized that Jesus is the one who healed her, and instead of fearing her neighbors, she decided to embrace His love.

Within a few months, 10 other households also chose to follow Jesus.

When Pastor Sudhir met Taseem, she was suffering from intense sickness with no solution in sight. But when he shared about Jesus’ love and prayed, she was fully healed and embraced Christ.

New Congregation Outgrows Meeting Place

The new believers went to Sudhir’s home each week to learn more about Jesus and worship Him, but soon there wasn’t any room for anyone else to join them. Each day that passed, the congregation prayed fervently for a church building.

Before long, the congregation began construction on a church building. But as the walls went up, opposition from other villagers came.

They threatened to damage the building, harm the believers and even build a temple in the church’s place.

With the widespread attacks, the construction stopped. Yet that didn’t stop the believers from still praying for the church building.

Time-Tested, Now Complete

Eventually, construction began again only to be stopped by threats. The pattern would continue for years. For seven years, Pastor Sudhir and the believers prayed for the church building’s completion.

After 10 households joined the believers, there was a great need for a church building. The construction began, but because of opposition, the construction stopped—for seven years.

Time-Tested, Now Complete

Eventually, construction began again only to be stopped by threats. The pattern would continue for years. For seven years, Pastor Sudhir and the believers prayed for the church building’s completion.

As a result of their continuous prayers, those who opposed the construction relented from their resistance. The church building was completed on August 26, 2012, and now Taseem and her fellow believers have plenty of room to grow and worship God.

With all the joy of children, the congregation danced in the new church building, a testament that Jesus answers prayers.

Just as this congregation prayed for seven years, so are many other congregations praying for a church building of their own. You can be part of giving joy to another group of believers by giving towards a church building.

As the believers fervently prayed, the opposition dwindled and the construction began again. Now the believers can worship and learn more about Jesus in their own church building.

Just as this congregation prayed for seven years, so are many other congregations praying for a church building of their own. You can be part of giving joy to another group of believers by giving towards a church building.

Help Build a Church!

$75

$500

$2500

$10000

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The average cost to build a church in South Asia is $10,000 - 40,000.

It represents more than a convenient place to meet. It is a center for loving fellowship and a launchpad for sharing Christ's love with the community!

Originally published: May 2014

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are GFA stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.